Imane Khelif, a 25-year-old boxer from Algeria, has been at the center of a gender eligibility controversy. She recently made headlines after defeating a female Italian fighter at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 1. Khelif, who grew up in a rural village in Tiaret, Algeria, had to overcome her father’s disapproval of boxing for girls. To pursue her passion for the sport, she even started training by selling scrap metal for recycling.
Khelif made her amateur debut at the age of 19 and has participated in various championships, including the 2018 and 2019 World Championships. She also competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she made it to the quarterfinals. Despite facing setbacks, such as a disqualification from the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships due to gender eligibility issues, Khelif has continued to excel in her boxing career.
The controversy surrounding Khelif intensified when she was disqualified from the 2023 championships for reportedly having male chromosomes. The International Boxing Association (IBA) conducted DNA tests, which revealed that some athletes, including Khelif, had XY chromosomes, leading to their exclusion from the competition. Khelif denied the allegations, attributing them to a conspiracy aimed at preventing Algeria from winning gold medals.
The drama surrounding Khelif’s gender eligibility resurfaced during the Paris Olympics, prompting the IBA to release a statement explaining the reasons for her disqualification. Despite the ongoing controversy, Khelif managed to secure a victory against Angela Carini of Italy in the 66-kilogram division. Carini, who called a time-out during the match, later revealed that she had to abandon the fight due to a painful punch.
Khelif, with a record of 37-9 and five knockouts at the amateur level, is set to face Hungarian boxer Anna Luca Hamori in her next fight. Despite the challenges she has faced, Khelif remains determined to continue her boxing career and prove her skills in the ring.